Notice of proposed rule changes to Chapter 126 / 261 Immunization Requirements for School Children

The Maine Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention are proposing refinements to joint rule Chapters 126/261.

The proposal involves three changes:

Add the Tetanus/Diphtheria / Pertussis (Tdap) vaccine to the required school entry for children entering 8th grade.

Update the varicella exclusion days to match the recommended Federal Center for Disease Control (CDC) exclusion days.

Revise the name to the Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Proposed language of rule Chapter 126/261 can be found here on the Department’s website. Comments can be sent to the Department of Education’s Jaci Holmes at 624-6669 or jaci.holmes@maine.gov or the Department of Health and Human Service’s Jessica Demers at 287-3746 or jessica.demers@maine.gov. The comment deadline is Jan. 9, 2016.